COURT RECOGNIZES PROTECTION FOR VOICES COPIED BY AI

TOKYO, OCTOBER 1 /SRNA/ - A Tokyo court has ruled that a person's voice is protected against unauthorized AI-generated copying and commercial use, in a case brought by well-known Japanese actor Kenjiro Tsuda against the operator of a TikTok account.

The Japanese actor, known for his rich, deep voice and for voicing characters in popular anime series, said the account owner had unlawfully profited by attracting viewers with an AI-generated version of his distinctive voice, which was used in more than 180 videos about urban legends and paranormal phenomena, AP reported.

Tsuda asked for the content to be removed and, after TikTok failed to act on his request, filed a lawsuit seeking legal protection for the voices of public figures against unauthorized copying.

"A person's voice is a symbol of individuality, just like their likeness. There was a clear intention to exploit the commercial appeal of Tsuda's voice," presiding judge Aya Takahashi said, adding that the unauthorized use of the well-known actor's voice amounted to an infringement of his rights.

The ruling is welcome news for many voice actors who have grown increasingly concerned about AI-generated copies of their voices being used on social media.